ZIGURAT Summit 2026 to bring global AECO leaders to Barcelona in its year as World Capital of Architecture

Barcelona will host the fourth edition of the ZIGURAT Summit on 18 June, an in-person event dedicated to analysing the main challenges facing the AECO industry. The free-to-attend event, subject to prior registration, will take place at Valkiria Hub, in Barcelona, from 09:00.

Taking place in the year in which Barcelona holds the title of World Capital of Architecture 2026, the event will offer a journey that connects the city’s architectural legacy with the technological, environmental and management demands currently facing the construction sector.

Under the theme “The Barcelona construction blueprint: from legacy to global challenges”, the congress will analyse how technical excellence, innovation and local vision can help respond to highly complex international projects.

BIM, AI, sustainability and major projects

The ZIGURAT Summit 2026 programme will be structured around presentations and panel discussions focused on some of the major transformations shaping the AECO sector.

Among the key topics, the event will address Smart City management through Barcelona’s Digital Twin, with representatives from AMB; sustainability and decarbonisation through the case of Witty Wood, the city’s first timber office building; the impact of artificial intelligence and Lean methodologies on project management; and the structural challenges of major developments such as the New Bernabéu and Qiddiya.

The event will also include a reflection on the evolution from technical profiles to business leadership roles, one of the key challenges for professionals in the sector in a context of accelerated transformation.

The expert panel will feature professionals from companies and institutions including WSP, FCC, AMB, Evalore, Kronos and One Creative Environments, alongside representatives from the ZIGURAT team. Given the international profile of the speakers, the event will offer simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and English.

An international meeting point

ZIGURAT Summit 2026 has the dissemination support of Barcelona City Council, as well as the collaboration of sector organisations, media and institutions including 22@Network, Barcelona ConTech Hub, IL3, buildingSMART Spain and GBCe.

The event is expected to bring together professionals from more than 60 nationalities and become a meeting point for architects, engineers, technicians, executives and specialists interested in the technologies and methodologies redefining the future of the built environment, including BIM, artificial intelligence, Lean, Digital Twin and new project management models.

Attendance is free and open to the public, with prior registration required. More information and registration here.